Macbook

[sirlightblade]

For a while now, i've been looking into getting a new computer, since my trusty* Dell laptop is more than 5 years old at this point. Previously, i was trying to find a laptop that would be capable of running current games (read: a laptop with a decent video chipset). Eventually, i was made to realize that this was a bad plan, and for the same

Comments

[photonsrain]

I'd go for the Apple Care plan, as it's worth it for it to be Someone Else's Problem if your hardware goes bonkers. .Mac isn't worth your while.

[baniszew]

AppleCare fixed my keyboard and firewire port right up without asking questions after I spilled a drink on my iBook.

.mac has always sounded pointless to me.

[blondestwolf]

Get the AppleCare. I was having a problem with the wireless, the antenna lead from the rest of the machine to the card was frayed, and when they replaced that they also replaced the case behind the screen where my friend had dropped a beer bottle leaving a dent. No extra charge.

And, yeah, .mac is not worth it unless you plan on using it to host your webpage etc.

[hoppzor]

get the apple care. its the only way you'll ever get service when you go to the apple store with problems. and macs are ridiculously expensive to service without it, since they have funny parts.

.mac is indeed pointless.

[evcleargrl]

Go with applecare because Murphy's Law states that if you don't have it, the second you go out of warranty, it will break. And you will be sad and it will be expensive.

That being said, I have a shiny (old) powerbook from January 2005ish and its fantastic and I love it. Its no longer my main computer (I have an intel iMac from 2006 and my lab computer is a macpro (love of my life)). I upgraded fro 10.3->10.4 when i first got my powerbook and i didn't really notice any difference vs. the intel imac that had 10.4 preinistalled. So I don't think it matters whether you get the upgrade or wait for it to be preinstalled. I'm sure any new machines will work seamlessly w/10.5.